Chapter 6: What are you looking for?
2056 Words
The party with Fernando went according to plan. I just needed a grand finale, one that would make Paola furious the moment we left and the photographers caught us.
I pulled Fernando by his arm as he looked at me. I placed my hand on his face and gave him a kiss. Even though I was wearing high heels, I still managed to reach him. At first, I felt him surprised by my actions. I even thought he would push me away. But I was taken aback when he returned the kiss.
However, I quickly broke the kiss. I smiled at him afterwards. Meanwhile, Fernando continued walking. I knew it would only be a matter of minutes before the pictures of us spread everywhere.
In front of the media, he maintained his gentlemanly demeanor, effortlessly helping me into the car while he entered from the other side.
I took out my cell phone and instructed my driver to follow us. Fernando also got in the car. Meanwhile, I kept my smile, as photographers continued to take pictures of us. Until the car started moving.
When we were about three blocks away and I didn't see any more photographers, my face turned serious and cold.
I quickly distanced myself from Fernando and told the driver to stop the car. And of course, Fernando couldn't stay silent.
"What are you playing, Isabella, and why are you stopping the car?" he asked.
"Nothing! I have to go home. It's already late, and I have work tomorrow," I replied.
As I was about to step out of the car, he grabbed me by the arm.
"Fernando, you surprise me. Don't tell me you're suddenly concerned about your wife," I said.
"No, but we need to talk, the two of us," he responded.
"Next time, Fernando. I'm tired now, and I have work tomorrow," I refused.
"And do you think I'm not tired? And besides, shopping all day is not work," he retorted.
"That's Paola's job, Fernando. Not mine. Mine is more serious. I already explained it to you before. I'm a surgeon, and I need to sleep for tomorrow. I have a couple of brains to operate on," I explained.
"Isabella, stop the game now!"
"Look, Fernando, I think you have more problems to solve when you get home. We can talk later."
He furrowed his brow at me, prompting me to speak again.
"Don't wrinkle your face too much. You already have some wrinkles, and I'm still young. I don't want people to think my husband is getting old," I said as I went to my car and got in.
Fernando left as well, and I did the same.
When I arrived at my apartment, I couldn't help but feel satisfied. Everything had gone as planned.
The next day, I was still in a good mood. I had to talk to my father-in-law and tell him everything, but first, I had some tasks to finish before going up to see him.
I arrived at the hospital, put on my uniform and coat, and then my pager rang. I had a patient in the emergency room, a car accident victim.
I evaluated the patient and requested further tests. It appeared that they would require surgery. As I was discussing the case with a resident while leaving the CT room, they asked, "Josh is asking for an operating room. Are you going to assist him?"
As I was busy speaking, I felt someone grab my arm. When I looked, it was Fernando.
"What are you doing here? This is not an area where individuals can enter," I said.
"I'm not a private person, Isabella. We need to talk. You have no idea about all the problems you caused yesterday. Have you seen the news?" he replied.
"Fernando, I don't know how things work in your companies, but this is a hospital, not your playground. Right now, I need to work. I'll call you later so we can talk," I said to him.
"I'll wait for you to finish today. I'm sure it'll be quick," he insisted.
"It's a brain that I'm about to operate on, but fine! Wait as long as you want, but you'll do it like the others waiting in the waiting room," I said firmly.
After saying that, I went to attend Josh.
This surgery was going to take at least a couple of hours, if not longer, if it didn't get complicated. After that, there were a couple more surgeries that I had pending.
Let's see how long he can wait for me. According to my calculations, I could be in the operating room for about 18 hours.
I finished my first surgery, and in order to avoid encountering Fernando, I sent Josh to inform the patient's relatives. When Josh returned, he had something to tell me.
"Doc, that man from earlier. He wants me to let you know that he's waiting for you to come out."
"Josh, you're a third-year resident. I know that man may seem intimidating, but you are my resident. Focus on what I ask of you, not on him. If he wants to wait for me, let him. Now, let's continue with our work."
The next surgery took longer. And just like earlier, I asked Josh to check on Fernando. I wanted to see if he was still waiting for me.
And indeed, there he was.
I stayed in a place where he couldn't see me, even though I could see him. I observed as soon as Josh attempted to approach him.
"Hey, tell Isabella to come out right now if she doesn't want me to come in there," he demanded.
Josh didn't pay any attention to that. I had instructed him to do so, and he continued with his task of delivering the report to the relatives of the patient we had just operated on, which seemed to bother Fernando.
"Hey, you don't know who I am. I told you to call Isabella," Fernando insisted.
And I was not expecting Josh's response to Fernando.
"Indeed, sir. I don't know who you are, and I'm not interested in finding out. This is a hospital, so leave the drama if you don't want me to remove you from here. Dr. Castrioti will come to talk to you when she is free. If you'd like, you can continue waiting. If not, you may leave now."
After speaking, Josh left the scene. He quickly approached where I was.
I should treat him for that.
"Josh, you will do the next surgery," I said to him.
"Really, Doc?"
"Of course! You've earned it!"
"With all due respect, Doc, and I hope what I say doesn't make you retract your decision. The man outside is intimidating, as you said, but I have dealt with patients' relatives who are just as difficult before. I don't know what issues you have with him, but between the two of you, I'm more afraid of you."
"Okay, Josh, very good. Go prepare for your surgery."
The truth is that I am aware that I intimidate the residents, not because I am mean to them, but because I am at the age of an intern while already being a specialist. Moreover, I can be somewhat strict, as I like things to be done well. I do not tolerate preventable mistakes. However, I am also a good teacher, which is why the residents respect me and always want to assist me.
It was late when we finished the last surgery. On those occasions, I came out with Josh to provide a report. I was surprised to see that Fernando was still there. But before he could speak, I gave him a look to keep him quiet.
And before speaking to the family members of my patients, I put on a more empathetic expression. After finishing talking with them, I looked back at Fernando.
"Okay, Fernando, I have 5 minutes for you to say what you want to say," I told him.
"Let's not talk here. Let's go somewhere else."
***
Somehow, seeing Isabella in her surgical uniform, with a hat and a loose gown draped over her shoulders, made Fernando think that she looked quite pretty. He was surprised by how she could transform her cold gaze in a second to converse warmly with the relatives of a patient.
"I have been waiting for you for hours. I haven't eaten yet," Fernando said.
"I didn't ask you to wait for me. You wanted to do that. But okay, let's go to the cafeteria," Isabella replied.
"You want me to eat in a hospital cafeteria, Isabella?"
"Take it or leave it. I have a lot of work to do," Isabella said firmly. "You decide."
"Okay."
What happened to the shy girl at the wedding? She was nowhere to be seen now.
Isabella let her hair down and removed her robe. She placed it on the clothes cart and motioned for Fernando to follow her.
***
I ordered a sandwich for myself. When I turned my eyes to see what Fernando was going to order, I didn't see him there.
I scanned the area and found him seated at a table. Holding my tray of food, I approached him.
He looked at my food with a displeased expression. I placed my tray on the table and started eating. I was taken aback by what he said.
"Where is my food, Isabella?" he questioned.
"I don't know," I replied.
"This is how you treat your husband?" he exclaimed.
"Yes, this is how I treat my damn unhappy husband. If you're hungry, go line up over there and buy something. You still have a minute before they close," I retorted.
"Yesterday you were a loving wife."
"Yesterday, there were journalists. And if we really look at it, we know that we don't truly know each other. We are married because a piece of paper says so. Now, what do you want to talk about, Fernando? Time is running out," I stated.
"Why did you come back? What do you want? Money?"
"I came back because they offered me this job. The pay was tempting, so I accepted it. And money? No! I've never needed you. Why would I need that? My last name is Castrioti, not Robinson. I am not like Paola who needs your money."
"So what do you want, Isabella? Why did you create that scene last night? You know the problems you created with this photo," Fernando confronted me.
He took out his cell phone and showed me a picture of us kissing before leaving the event.
"Besides divorce, I don't need anything from you. And oh, about the photo, I couldn't see that you were holding back when I kissed you," I replied.
"I can't give you a divorce yet. And what do you expect me to do in front of all those cameras?" Fernando asked me.
"I'm in a hurry. So tell me what you need for you to agree to a divorce," I said.
"Just wait a little, and I'll give it to you," Fernando answered.
"By little, you mean how long?" I asked.
"I don't know, Isabella. Do you think I don't want to divorce you? And why are you in such a hurry? Have you found someone else?" he questioned me.
"You should not interfere with those matters. And as long as you do not sign the divorce papers, you will see me more often than you think," I told him.
"You can't just disappear like before," he said to me.
"No, I'm in a bit of a hurry, to tell the truth," I replied to him.
"Are you in a rush because you got pregnant by some i***t? I am not going to be the laughingstock in society for having a clumsy wife," he retorted.
His words offended me, but I kept my composure. The worst part is, I have never had s*x in my twenty-four years.
"No, but if you give me a divorce under those conditions, it wouldn't be difficult for me to get pregnant," I responded.
"Isabella, I am not joking," he said to me.
"Neither am I, Fernando. Now if you'll excuse me, your time is up. I have other things to attend to," I stated.
I stood up and left, leaving him alone.
- Writer
